Deferred communication and relationship management

ABSTRACT

Techniques to defer an incoming communication and schedule a follow up communication and techniques to provide reminders to communicate with a selected contact in order to maintain a level of connectivity with the contact are disclosed. A communication recipient can defer an incoming communication and schedule a return communication time. The return communication may be manually deferred by a user and/or automatically deferred based at least in part on availability of a user on an appointment calendar. Also, the communication recipient can receive reminders of the scheduled return communication or reminders to communicate with a selected contact based on a level of connectivity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/410,331, filed Mar. 24, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/410,377, filed Mar. 24, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Over the past thirty years, telephony has significantly evolved from the once-ubiquitous public switched telephone service (POTS). Telecommunications consumers today have a wide range of telecommunications options to choose from, including traditional landline telephone service, IP-based telecommunications services (based on, for example, Voice over Internet Protocol), cellular telecommunications services, and converged telecommunications services (such as Unlicensed Mobile Access or UMA).

Telecommunications devices now exist in a myriad of form factors, such as traditional landline phones, cordless phones, cellular telephones, smart phones, PDA phones, desktop and portable computers, media players, home telecommunications hubs, or the like (hereinafter “telecommunication devices”), which have become a ubiquitous part of modern life. Originally, most of these telecommunication devices just provided two-way voice communication between a first person at a first location using a first telecommunication device and a second person at a second location using a second telecommunication device, so that the first person and the second person were able to carry on a conversation. For example, a voice communication or call normally involved real-time, duplex, synchronous voice communications, in which all participants hear the other participants in real time, all participants can simultaneously speak, and all participants are actively engaged and respond directly and immediately to each other without significant interruption.

More recently, telecommunication devices are frequently capable of both voice and data communications, using various modes of such communications. Email, text messages (e.g., Short Message Service or SMS), and multimedia messages (e.g., Multimedia Messaging Service or MMS) are well-known forms of asynchronous data communications. Email was originally used with computers, but is now commonly sent and received through telecommunications devices as well. SMS text messaging has been used for many years in the area of cellular telecommunications. Participants are typically engaged in the communications at different times, and their participation might occur as a number of small, non-contiguous, asynchronous interactions.

In addition to person-to-person communications, many modern telecommunications devices are capable of other types of data communications through access to the Internet and other databases. For example, many telecommunication devices have built-in web browsers for Internet navigation.

Voicemail is another voice communications mode, in which a caller leaves a recorded message for a recipient. The recipient listens and responds to a voicemail message at his or her leisure. Because of the time lag between leaving the message and actually listening or responding to the message, this communications mode is referred to as asynchronous.

It should be noted that both voice and data communications might be implemented using the same wireless and IP-based technologies. In some situations, particularly with conventional cellular or IP-based systems, voice might be communicated using a proprietary cellular protocol, while data and non-voice communications are based on other protocols carried over a cellular and/or an IP-based telecommunications network.

Telecommunications devices vary in complexity and capabilities, from simple devices that support only voice communications, to very sophisticated devices with capabilities of personal computers. Higher-end telecommunication devices are often referred to as smart phones but increasingly include desktop and portable computers. These telecommunication devices typically have an operating system executed from some form of solid-state memory by one or more processors.

Further, advances in technology have added an ever increasing array of features and capabilities to telecommunication devices, such as touch screens, video and still cameras, web browsing capabilities, email sending and receiving capabilities, music download, storing and playback capabilities, calendar and contact managing capabilities, GPS (global positioning system) location and navigation capabilities, game playing capabilities, and streaming media capabilities, to name a few. Many of these features and capabilities are provided through specialized applications resident on the telecommunications devices. For example, many telecommunications devices allow the user to further customize the device through custom configuration options or by adding third-party software. Some of these applications may come pre-installed by the network service provider or manufacturer, while others may be purchased and installed by the users of the telecommunications devices after purchase.

Although modern telecommunications devices are very capable, their complexity sometimes threatens to interfere with their primary purpose of enabling voice communications. Furthermore, the voice functionality of many telecommunications devices is implemented primarily as a stand-alone feature, and often doesn't benefit significantly from the other capabilities of the telecommunications device.

As an example, a telecommunications device user often receives a voice call from an originating caller while actively engaged in an existing call, an instant messaging session, or while engaged in some other activity during which it would be undesirable to engage in a voice call.

Upon receiving such a call, the telecommunications device user has few options. For example, the user can hang up the current or existing caller or the user can answer the incoming call. Alternatively, the user can let the incoming call “ring” until the caller hangs up, or send the incoming call straight to voicemail. The user could also place the existing caller on hold, answer the incoming call, and then switch back to the existing caller. These capabilities are available on many cellular and IP-based telecommunications networks, and do not require any particular customization of the telecommunications device itself.

Caller ID information may be available to the telecommunications device user, indicating calls that were not answered. A caller may also leave a voicemail for the telecommunications device user. However, by the time the telecommunications device user is able to respond to caller ID or voicemail, he or she may have missed a narrow window of opportunity to reach or communicate with the originating caller.

As another example, with the myriad forms of communication that telecommunication devices provide to their users, it can be difficult for users to track their overall frequencies of contact with others, such as persons the users desire to maintain a level of connectivity with. If the telecommunication devices allow the users to examine call logs and message histories, the users can check those logs and histories to see who the users have contacted and when. The users can also check other communication records, such as email inboxes. This imposes a burden on the time and memory of the user, who must remember names and dates and navigate between multiple interfaces.

SUMMARY

Techniques are described for deferring a communication. For example, a telecommunications device user is able to acknowledge an incoming communication and schedule a time to return a communication to the originating caller. In some aspects, the telecommunications device user may also be able to send an asynchronous message, such as a text message, to an originating caller. The asynchronous message to the originating caller may include a time when the telecommunications device user will likely be available or describe what activity is tying up the telecommunications device user at the time of receiving the incoming communication.

In another example, a telecommunications device user is able to create a reminder to return an incoming communication, which is acknowledged but not answered. The telecommunications device provides the telecommunications device user with an option to automatically schedule a return communication at an available time in an appointment calendar. A reminder to originate a return communication can be generated and directed to the telecommunications device receiving the communication and/or to the telecommunications device originating the incoming communication. Additionally, the system or a system component may automatically connect the two devices at a next available time.

The techniques described herein also include providing reminders to communicate with a selected contact in order to maintain a level of connectivity with the contact. For example, a telecommunication device may select a contact of a user of the telecommunication device to maintain a level of connectivity with and may monitor communications between the user and the contact. The telecommunication device may then remind the user to communicate with the contact. The reminding may be performed based at least on the monitored communications and the level of connectivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures, in which the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a system in which a user is able to defer or postpone engaging in a synchronous communication (e.g., a voice call) and to schedule a future time at which to start such a return communication.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary user interface on a telecommunications device with one implementation of a control to defer an incoming communication.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary user interface on a telecommunications device whereby a user can select a future time at which to schedule a return communication.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary user interface on a telecommunications device usable to automatically schedule a return communication based on an appointment calendar.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary user interface on a telecommunications device of a confirmation of a scheduled return communication time.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary user interface on a telecommunications device usable to enter defer response text to be sent to an originating telecommunications device.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary user interface showing an implementation of an originating telecommunications device user interface upon receiving a defer message.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary user interface showing one implementation of a reminder to return a communication at a designated or deferred time. The reminder may be presented at the originating telecommunications device and/or the receiving telecommunications device.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary user interface showing one implementation of a return communication list operable on a telecommunications device.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary topology of a system in which an incoming communication can be deferred.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary telecommunications device that can be used to defer an incoming communication and to schedule a return communication to an originating telecommunications device.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary logic flow diagram and method of receiving and deferring an incoming communication along with callouts A through H showing where exemplary user interfaces corresponding to each block in the flow diagram are found in the drawings. Callout A corresponds to the user interface shown in FIG. 2. Callout B corresponds to FIG. 3. Callout C corresponds to FIG. 4. Callout D corresponds to FIG. 5. Callout E corresponds to FIG. 9. Callout F corresponds to FIG. 6. Callout G corresponds to FIG. 7. Callout H corresponds to FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a system overview where the first user or the servers have relationship management capabilities, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary user interface for user selection of a contact for relationship management, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary user interface of a relationship management component, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary user interface that enables a user to define a level of connectivity to maintain between that user and a contact, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary user interface of a notification manager that includes call defer reminders and relationship management reminders, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary telecommunication device that can be used to manage a relationship between a user and a contact and to remind the user of a deferred call, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary logic flow diagram of operations performed by a telecommunication device to manage a relationship between a user and a contact, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary logic flow diagram of operations performed by a server to manage a relationship between a user and a contact, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure discusses deferring an incoming communication to a telecommunications device user who is already engaged in an existing communication or is otherwise unavailable to accept an incoming communication. For purposes of illustration only, these features are discussed in the context of a telecommunications device user operating a telecommunication device with a screen and other interface features which allow for the functionality described herein. However, other devices and methods that cause the same or similar results may additionally or alternatively be used. For the sake of brevity, traditional landline phones, cordless phones, cellular telephones, smart phones, PDA phones, desktop and portable computers, media players, home telecommunications hubs, or any other device capable of engaging in telecommunications are referred to herein as “telecommunications devices.” Also for the sake of brevity, voice calls, video calls, instant messages and instant messaging sessions, text messages (e.g., Short Message Service or SMS messages), multimedia messages (e.g., Multimedia Message Service or MMS messages), etc., are referred to herein as “communications.” Further, for the sake of brevity the term “caller” is used to indicate the originator of a communication, regardless of whether the communication consists of a voice call or a non-voice communication (e.g., an instant message).

Using the techniques described herein, a telecommunications device user can defer or postpone a potential synchronous communication until a later and possibly scheduled time. This application describes several illustrative techniques for scheduling a return communication including 1) a manual scheduling approach, and 2) a calendar-based scheduling approach. Variations and combinations of these approaches are also possible.

In the manual scheduling approach, a time for the return communication is scheduled manually by a user of the recipient telecommunications device. As an example, suppose a user is engaged in a voice call using a telecommunications device and receives another incoming communication (e.g., and incoming voice call or instant messaging session request). In response, the user's telecommunications device alerts the user to the incoming communication and generates a prompt so that the user can indicate how to handle the incoming communication. In addition to the usual options, the prompt allows the user to defer the incoming communication to a later time. Upon receiving an indication or instruction from the user to defer the incoming communication, the telecommunications device or telecommunications device network, with input from the user, schedules a date and time at which to return the incoming communication. In some implementations, the telecommunications device or telecommunications device network may also inform the originating telecommunications device user that the communication has been deferred. At the scheduled time, the telecommunications device or telecommunications device network initiates the return communication automatically, or prompts the telecommunications device user to return the communication. In one implementation, the return communication may be initiated by simply prompting the user through an on-screen dialog or an SMS text message. Alternatively, the telecommunications device network might generate the return communication automatically by simultaneously calling both the user's telecommunications device and the telecommunications device of the originating caller at the scheduled return communication time.

In the calendar-based scheduling approach, a time for the return communication is scheduled at least in part based on an appointment calendar of the recipient, or an appointment calendar of the originating telecommunications user, or appointment calendars of the recipient and of the originating telecommunications device user. As another example, suppose a user is engaged in the voice call as above and receives another incoming communication. In response, the user's telecommunications device alerts the user to the incoming communication. The alert may involve generating a prompt for the user. Upon receiving an instruction from the user to defer the incoming communication, or without input from the user, the telecommunications device or telecommunications device network may add the incoming communication to a list or creates an appointment in an appointment calendar. The telecommunications device or telecommunications device network consults a calendar or list to determine available dates and times at which to return the incoming communication. As in the user-specified scheduling approach, the telecommunications device or telecommunications device network may also inform the originating telecommunications device user that the communication has been deferred. At the scheduled date and time, the telecommunications device or telecommunications device network initiates the return communication automatically, or prompts the telecommunications device user to return the communication. The return communication might be initiated by simply prompting the user through an on-screen dialog or an SMS text message. Alternatively, deferred communications are placed in a list and the user is able to return each previous incoming communication by reviewing the list or appointments created.

Additionally, the telecommunication device described above or another device may be configured to manage relationships between a user of the telecommunication device and others. These others may be contacts of the user or other persons or groups that the user is capable of engaging in communication with. The telecommunication device includes a relationship manager that enables the user to select a contact or other person or group (hereinafter “contacts”) to maintain a level of connectivity with. The relationship manager may also be capable of automatically selecting the contact. The level of connectivity can include a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the user and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the user and possibly other criteria. Upon selecting a contact, the relationship manager monitors communications between the user and the contact by, for example, examining call logs, text and instant message histories, or email inboxes. When the relationship manager determines that a time since a most recent communication with the contact matches or exceeds the maximum time period specified in the level of connectivity, the relationship manager generates a reminder to the user to communicate with the contact. If the user communicates before the expiration of the maximum time period, the date and time of the reminder is updated accordingly.

System Overview

FIG. 1 shows an overview of an illustrative system 100 within which these techniques may be implemented. FIG. 1 shows possible interactions between a first telecommunications device user 102 using a first telecommunications device 104, a second user 106 using a second telecommunications device 108, and a third user 112 using a third telecommunications device 114. The three telecommunications devices 104, 108 and 114 are part of one or more communications networks 110 that enable voice and other modes of synchronous and asynchronous communication. Although network(s) 110 are represented by a single cell tower commonly associated with a cellular telecommunications network, network(s) 110 represents any type of telecommunications network, including cellular telecommunications networks, IP-based telecommunications networks (e.g., Voice over Internet Protocol networks), traditional landline or POTS networks, or combinations of the foregoing (e.g., Unlicensed Mobile Access or UMA networks).

As an example of how the disclosed techniques might be used, suppose that the first and second telecommunications device users 102 and 106 are engaged in a voice call with each other. While engaged in this call or conversation, the third user 112 places a call to the first user 102. In response to receiving an indication of an incoming call, the first user 102 has the usual options of ignoring it, sending it to voicemail, or of accepting it in lieu of, or in addition to, the existing call with the caller 106. In addition, however, the first user 102 has the option of deferring the incoming call.

To enable this functionality, the first telecommunications device 104 has a communication defer and scheduling user interface (UI) or mode 116. Without breaking communication with the second user 106, the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116 allows the telecommunications device user 102 to schedule a time at which to attempt to reach the third telecommunications device 114 and third user 112.

In one implementation, the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116 provides a mechanism for the first user 102 to manually select a future time at which to return the incoming communication to the third telecommunications device 114 and third user 112. The communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116 also may provide the first user 102 with an option to schedule a reminder for the return communication.

In another implementation, upon deferring an incoming communication, the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116, may provide a mechanism for the telecommunications device 104 or component of the system 100 to automatically find an available time (e.g., a next available time) and to schedule a reminder for the user to initiate a return communication at the available time. The available time may be found by consulting an appointment calendar 120 of the first user 102, the third user 112, or both. The telecommunications device 104 or component of the system may prompt the first user 102 at the future time to contact the third telecommunications device 114 and thereby the third user 112. Alternatively, a mechanism in the system 100 may prompt the third user 112, through the originator UI or mode 118 or some other means, to reinitiate a communication to the first telecommunications device 104 and the first user 102 at the next available time. In a yet another alternative implementation, the network 110 or component of the network 110 may automatically initiate the communication between first user 102 and third user 112 at the next available and scheduled time for the return communication.

Additionally, in some implementations, the first user 102, through the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116, may notify the third user 112 that the incoming communication has been deferred. In this example, the third telecommunications device 114 has an originator UI or mode 118. The originator UI or mode 118 receives a communication from the first telecommunications device 104 and informs the third user 112 that the call placed by the third user 112 has been deferred. The communication from the first telecommunications device 104 may contain the scheduled time or next available time at which the incoming communication is likely to be returned.

In a variation of the example above, the user 102 may defer an incoming call through the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116 and place information about the incoming call in a return communication list 122 in the first telecommunications device 104. At a future time, the first user 102 may access the return communication list 122 and contact the third or originating telecommunications device 114 and third user 112. Information about an incoming communication may be placed in a return communication list 122, a server-side return communication list 128 resident on a server 124 in the system 100, or an originator list 126 in the originator telecommunications device 114.

In some implementations, the first telecommunications device 104 may have access to an appointment calendar 120 and/or the third or originating telecommunications device 114 may have access to an originator appointment calendar 124. When this is the case, the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116 can reference one or both of the calendars 120 and 124 to find a time that is available to one or both the first user 102 and the third user 112. Once such a time is found, the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116 may automatically schedule a return communication or reminder at that date and time, and/or may create an appointment entry in the calendar 120 of the first telecommunications device 104 or originator calendar 124 of the third or originator telecommunications device 114.

One or more components of the system 100 may include logic or instructions for enabling the deferring, scheduling, and/or calendaring of a return communication. For example, the first telecommunications device 104, the third telecommunications device 114, or both, may include software or hardware components which carry out the functionality described herein. Alternatively, a program, module or device in the system 100, such as a server 124 operating a server-side communication defer and scheduling module 130, may carry out some or all of the functionality.

In a further alternative, the communication defer and scheduling module 130 may interact with the communication defer and scheduling UI or mode 116 operating on the first telecommunications device 104 and/or the originator UI or mode 118 operating on the third device 114 to enable the scheduling functions or techniques described herein.

User Interfaces

FIG. 2 through FIG. 8 illustrate a series of example user interfaces that can be used to implement the techniques described herein. These user interfaces also illustrate possible scenarios by which to acknowledge and defer an incoming communication and to schedule a time to re-attempt to establish a communication between the first telecommunications device user 102 and third telecommunications device user 112. Note that these figures are exemplary of a number of different user interfaces and user interface mechanisms that might be used to implement the same or similar functionality.

Scheduling Overview

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative telecommunications device 104 having a first or initial screen or user interface 204 on a display 202 as seen by a telecommunications device user. Screen 204 includes a notification area 206, which is used to indicate an incoming communication, in this case an “Incoming Call”. In addition, or in the alternative, the communication notification may take the form of an audible and/or tactile signal. The initial screen 204 also has a caller ID notification area 208, which indicates information about the incoming communication such as, for example, a caller name, telephone number, and other information.

The initial screen 204 of the user interface also has a communication handling area 210 which includes an accept button 212, a voicemail button 214, and a defer button 216, all of which are presented to the user upon receiving an incoming communication. Pressing the accept button 212 accepts the incoming communication. Pressing the voicemail button 214 sends an incoming voice call to voicemail. Pressing the defer button 216 launches or opens a second screen 302 (FIG. 3), through which the user can set options for rescheduling the incoming communication. Pressing the defer button 216 may also end the incoming communication from the third user 112 and may preempt any voicemail functionality either in the telecommunications device 104 or in the system 100. The initial screen 204 also shows the time 218 when an incoming communication is received or the current time.

Manual Scheduling

FIG. 3 illustrates a manual call defer screen 302, which is launched in response to the user pressing the defer button 216 (shown in FIG. 2) when the first telecommunications device is configured for manual scheduling of deferred communications. The purpose of the manual call defer screen 302 is to set options when manually rescheduling a deferred incoming communication. The manual call defer screen 302 includes a title area 304 indicating this purpose as “SCHEDULE TIME.” The manual call defer screen 302 includes two options for manually rescheduling an incoming communication by 1) selecting a return time from a return time configuration area 306 or 2) selecting a date and time from a calendar configuration area 320.

The return time configuration area 306 provides a mechanism to select a return time 312. The return time 312 is a future time from the time of receiving the incoming communication at which to initiate a return communication to the originating telecommunications device. With reference to FIG. 3, the return time configuration area 306 also contains a return time title or title area 308 indicating the purpose of the return time configuration area 306. A particular return time 312 can be a default return time 314 and is marked accordingly. Pressing a defer button 314, without making any change or selection the second screen 302 defers the incoming communication to the default return time 314 (e.g. “30 MIN” meaning 30 minutes as shown in FIG. 3). Selecting a return time popup indicator 316 opens a popup dialog box (not shown) that provides a functionality to enter a value for return time 312 and to select a default return time 314. Selecting a return time 312 and then pressing the defer button 318 creates a reminder with a timer set to the specified return time 312.

A calendar configuration area 320 provides a second option for manually rescheduling an incoming communication. The purpose of the calendar configuration area 320 in this example is to allow a user to manually select a time and date in an appointment calendar such as an appointment calendar 120 of a first user 102 (note that this is different than and not to be confused with the calendar-based scheduling described below). The calendar configuration area 320 may include a year field 326, a month field 328, a day field 330 and/or a time field 332. Selecting or accessing each of these fields 326, 328, 330 and 332 opens a respective popup dialog box (not shown) that provides a functionality to enter an appropriate value for each of these fields 326, 328, 330 and 332. A popup indicator 334 is present at each location where a popup dialog box is available. Selecting the calendar configuration area 320 and then pressing the defer button 318 creates an entry in an appointment calendar 120 at the date and time specified. Other mechanisms are possible to select a time and date in an appointment calendar to schedule a return time at which to re-schedule an incoming communication, such as, for example, by allowing a user to type the date and/or time for the return call. Pressing the cancel button 336 returns a user to the initial screen 204.

Calendar-Based Scheduling

FIG. 4 illustrates a calendar-based call defer screen 402, which is launched in response to the user pressing the defer button 216 (shown in FIG. 2) when the first telecommunications device 104 is configured for calendar-based scheduling of deferred communications. The purpose of the calendar-based call defer screen 402 is to automatically or semi-automatically schedule an available time for a return communication based at least in part on an appointment calendar of the recipient of the communication, the originator of the communication, or both. This purpose is shown in a title area 404 as “AVAILABLE TIMES.” The automatic scheduling screen 402 may also show incoming communication information 406. In this example, the automatic scheduling screen 402 also shows one or more next available times 408. The first telecommunications device 104, a system component, or combination of devices and/or system components determines these next available times 408 by reference to an appointment calendar of the first user 102, the third user 112, or both. Selecting one of these next available times re-schedules an incoming communication in the appointment calendar 120.

In another variation of calendar-based scheduling, pressing the defer button 216, and thereby executing automatic scheduling, automatically re-schedules or defers the incoming communication at the chronologically next available time 408 (e.g., Monday, March 16 at 4:00 pm, as shown in FIG. 4), without further input from a first user 102.

Confirmation

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary user interface screen 502 indicating successful rescheduling of an incoming communication that may be displayed in response to any of the manual or calendar-based scheduling techniques described herein. In one implementation, the user interface screen 502 comprises a rescheduling message or message area 504, incoming communication information 506, and scheduling information 508. FIG. 5 shows scheduling information, including a date and time indicating that a calendar date and time is selected. However, if the communication defer mechanism were set for manual scheduling and a return time 312 were specified, scheduling information 508 could be shown as just a time (e.g. 30 minutes), and could be updated with the passage of time. Other mechanisms can additionally or alternatively be used to confirm rescheduling.

Notifying Originator

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary implementation of a defer response generation screen 602 for specifying a defer message to deliver to an originator device 114. Delivering a defer message or defer response to an incoming communication to an originating telecommunications device 114 is optional. The defer response generation screen 602 includes a title area 604 indicating this purpose. The defer response generation screen 602 also includes a “defer message” or first configuration area 606 and an “available modes” or second configuration area 620.

The first configuration area 606 provides mechanisms to configure a first portion of information for a defer message. Specifically, the defer message configuration area 606 contains a status message field 608 through which a user can select one of several possible status messages to deliver to the originating caller. The defer message comprises a status text 610. FIG. 6 shows the status text 610 as “busy.” This particular status text 610 is a default status text 612 and is marked accordingly. The first configuration area 606 also contains a first title or title area 616, which marks the purpose of the first configuration area 606, and a status text popup activator 618. Selecting the status text popup activator 618 opens a status text configuration screen 632.

The status text configuration screen 632 contains a default status text 610 and several pre-programmed or previously entered status texts 634. In the implementation shown, each of the pre-programmed status texts 634 is selectable. Selecting one of the pre-programmed status texts 634 closes the status text configuration screen 632. The status text configuration screen 632 also contains an add message button 636. Pressing the add message button 636 launches another functionality (not shown) that allows a user to enter a user-defined status text. If entered, the user-defined status text is added to the list of status texts 634. A user may make any of the status texts 634 a default response message 612. For example, dragging one of the status texts 634 to the top of the list makes the newly first-listed status text the default status text 612. Other mechanisms are possible to select one of the status texts 634 as the default status text 612. The status text configuration screen 632 also contains a cancel button 638. Pressing the cancel button 638 returns a user to the status generation response screen 602 without changing the default status text 612 or without changing the status text 610. A title area 640 indicates the purpose of the status text configuration screen 632.

The defer response generation screen 602 also may contain an “available modes” or second configuration area 620. The purpose of the second configuration area 620 is to configure a second portion of information to deliver to an originating device 114. A title area 522 marks the purpose of the second configuration area 620. The second configuration area 620 includes checkboxes 624, one for each available mode of communication 626. Each checkbox 624 is selectable. Selecting a checkbox 624 marks the corresponding mode of communication 626 for transmission as part of the second portion of information in a defer message. By sending one or more available modes of communication 626, a first user 102 is able to communicate to an originating or third user 112 which modes of communication the first user 102 is able to accept in lieu of original mode of communication of the incoming communication. For example, if the originating or third user 112 called in to initiate a voice communication, the first user 102 may send a defer response indicating that she is in a meeting and can only accept SMS text messages. In one implementation, each of the defer messages in the status message field 608 may have an associated pre-checked set of available modes of communication 626. The pre-checked set of available communication modes may be subsequently modified by a user before sending the message. For example, selection of the defer text “busy” may result in the modes of communication shown in FIG. 6 being pre-checked, indicating that the user cannot communication by voice, but is available to communicate by any of the checked communication modes (e.g., IM, voicemail, email, and text). These pre-checked boxes may be modified by the user (e.g., to uncheck one or more of the pre-checked options) before sending the message to the originating device 114.

Pressing a cancel button 630 closes the defer response generation screen 602 and returns a user to a previous screen without sending a defer response, defer response text 610, defer time message 622, or any mode of communication 626, to an originating or third device 114.

Pressing the defer button 614 delivers a defer message to the originating device 114 and third user 112. Pressing a defer button 614, without making any changes to the status message field 608, sends the default defer text 612 (e.g., “busy” as shown in FIG. 6) and any checked modes of communication 626. When the defer response generation screen 602 is launched, one or more of the modes of communication 626 and corresponding checkboxes 624 may be selected by default or depending on the mode of communication of the original incoming communication.

The defer response generation screen 602 illustrates one way in which the first user 102 can quickly convey to an originating or third user 112 that the first user 102 is occupied, but will return the communication at a specified time. However, other mechanisms can be used to deliver a defer message to an originating device 114, and thereby the originating or third user 112.

In other implementations, a defer message may be created and delivered automatically either when a first user 102 manually selects a return time 312 or when a next available time 408 is selected by the first user 102 or identified and used by a system component. The content of the defer message is consistent with either the return time 312 or next available time 408, as appropriate.

Originator User Interface

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary implementation of a deferred message screen 700 as part of an exemplary originator UI or mode 118, which may be implemented on the third telecommunications device 114. Delivery of the defer message to the originating telecommunications device 114 activates the deferred message screen 700 and originator UI or mode 118.

The deferred message screen 700 comprises a defer announcement 104 indicating that the first user 102 deferred or rescheduled an incoming communication. The defer announcement 702 may take any form including an audible, visual or tactile signal, or any combination of forms. The deferred message screen 700 also comprises a defer response text 704. The defer response text 704 shown on the originator UI or mode 118 may be the same, different or modified as compared to the defer response text 610 selected by the first user 102. The deferred message screen 700 also comprises a defer time message 706 and a call defer time 708. The defer time message 706 and the call defer time 708 may be the same, different or modified as compared to the defer time message 620 and call defer time 622 selected on the first telecommunications device 104 by the first user 102. In one implementation, a deferred message screen 700 also comprises a cancel button 710. Pressing the cancel button 710 cancels the scheduling and reminder mechanism or functionality which was initiated by pressing a defer button by a first user 102 or initiation of a defer mechanism by the system 100.

The deferred message screen 700 also comprises a text back button 712. The deferred message screen 700 may also comprise one or more other buttons (not shown) depending on the available modes of communication 626 selected by a first user 102 and communicated to the third telecommunications device 112 as part of a defer message. Pressing one of the other buttons launches a corresponding application or functionality to communicate according to a corresponding mode of communication. Pressing the text back button 712 launches a texting screen, application, or functionality (not shown) that allows the originating third user 112 to compose and send an asynchronous text message from the originating third telecommunications device 114 to the first telecommunications device 104. Such asynchronous message may take the form of an SMS text message. Other forms of an asynchronous message are possible such as delivering a multimedia message, voice message or email message. In this way, the originator or third user 112 can send a reply when further communication to the first user 102 is warranted. Pressing the text back button 712 on the deferred message screen 700 turns a request for a synchronous communication into an asynchronous exchange.

In one implementation, selecting the defer button 216 by the first user 102, or pressing either the cancel button 710 or selecting the text back button 712 ends the communication originated from the third telecommunications device 114 to the first telecommunications device 104.

A defer message delivered to the originating or third phone 114 informs the third user 112 why the originated communication was not answered by the first user 102. In the exemplary scenario described herein, a defer message provides to the third user 112 a time at which to expect to talk or otherwise communicate synchronously with the first user 102. With one or more button presses, the first phone user 102 sends timely information to the incoming caller 112 without accepting and engaging in the original communication.

Reminders

In one implementation, the first telecommunications device 104 can be configured so that pressing the defer button 216 also schedules a reminder to initiate a communication to the originating or third telecommunications device 114 and third user 112. In this implementation, the first telecommunications device 104 stores the reminder. Alternatively, another device, database, or location in the communication system 100 stores the reminder. Pressing the defer button 216 may create the reminder as a calendar entry, place the reminder in a list of reminders for the first user 102 to access, or may create a reminder with an activated timer to expire at a designated time. In another implementation, pressing the defer button 216 causes an SMS text message to be delivered to the first telecommunications device 104 at an appropriate time, for example at the current time 218 plus a return time 312.

In another implementation, an appointment calendar application (not shown) activates a reminder to return a communication to the telecommunications device 114 and originating caller 112 at the appropriate time. The calendar application may operate on the first telecommunications device 104, third telecommunications device 114, or on some other device or component of the system 100.

Note that although the described implementation allows the first user 102 to decide whether or not to defer an incoming communication, the telecommunications device might also be configured to automatically—without user intervention—defer any communication that is received such as while the telecommunications device user is already engaged in another communication. Defer messages in this implementation may be based on one or more pre-configured options set by the first user 102.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary reminder screen 800 that appears at a designated time 802 such as a scheduled time, reminder time, or next available time. At the designated time 802, an application operating on the first telecommunications device 104 activates the reminder screen 800. The reminder screen 800 is comprised of a reminder area 804 and a call handling area 806. The reminder area 804 is comprised of a reminder title area 808, a reminder task 810, and reminder task information 812. The reminder task 810 may be generated locally on the telecommunications device or may come from or be in response to some other component or device in the telecommunications device or system. The appropriate time may be determined by the telecommunications device receiving the reminder or by some other component or device in the system. The reminder information 812 comprises caller ID or other information in addition to the number from which the communication originated. The reminder information 812 is the same information obtained at the time of the original incoming communication, the information obtained at the time the reminder is generated, or is some other information available to the system 100, first telecommunications device 104, third telecommunications device 114, or any combination thereof.

The communication handling area 806 provides a communicate back button 814, a cancel button 816, and a snooze button 818. Pressing the communicate back button 814 initiates a communication with the originating or third telecommunications device 114 corresponding to the reminder information 812. In one implementation, pressing the communicate back button 814 initiates a communication in the same mode in which the incoming communication was received, by default, or provides a mechanism by which a user chooses which mode of communication to use in communicating back to the device corresponding to the reminder information 812. In an alternative implementation, the communicate back button 814 initiates another, more appropriate device, or uses another communication protocol or means than was originally used in the original communication. Such more appropriate device, communication protocol or means may depend upon the time of the return communication and an appointment or other calendar accessible to one or more components or devices in the system 100. Pressing the cancel button 816 cancels the reminder without taking any further action. The communication handling area 806 may contain other functionality and may provide other options to a user. Pressing the snooze button 818 postpones the reminder for a fixed amount of time (e.g. 10 minutes), a next available time on one or more appointment calendars, or to another future time.

Return Communication List

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary user interface showing one implementation of a return communication list 902 accessible by a telecommunications device. The return communication list 902 shown in FIG. 9 may comprise a return communication list 122, an originator list 126, or a server-side return communication list 128, and may reside in memory of the telecommunications device 104, the originating device 114, and/or one or more network servers 124. The return communication list 902 is comprised of return communication entries 904 of incoming communications for which an instruction has been received to defer the incoming communication and for which a return communication has not yet been initiated. In the illustrated example, each return communication entry 904 is comprised of incoming communication information 906 such as a name 908, a type of device 910, a telephone number 912, incoming communication mode 914, and incoming communication time 916.

Selecting one or more of the return communication entries 904 activates a list entry handling section 918. The list entry handling section 918 provides functionality to handle return communication entries 904. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the list entry handling section includes a communicate back button 920 and a delete button 922. Pressing the communicate back button 920 initiates subsequent user interface elements and functionality (not shown), through which to initiate and conduct or compose a return communication to one or more selected return communication entries 904. The mode of the return communication may be the same or different than the incoming communication mode 914. Pressing the communicate back button 920 may activate a default return communication mode or a user interface popup or other element may prompt a user to select a return communication mode. Selecting a return communication entry 904 and pressing the delete button 922 removes the return communication entry 904 from the return communication list 902.

Other Considerations

Other implementations are possible for scheduling a return communication to the third telecommunications device 114. For example, in an alternative implementation, a first available time in a calendar of the first user 102 may be marked as a default time to schedule a return communication. The reminder is then tied to the calendar of the first telecommunications device user 102 and is treated as any regular calendar entry (and reminder) through a calendar application operating on the first telecommunications device 104. Alternatively, the reminder may be placed in a list of communications to be returned at a future time convenient to the first user 102. The list of communications may be stored on the first telecommunications device 104, the server(s) 124, or at some other location in the system 100.

In another implementation where both the first telecommunications device 104 and the third telecommunications device 114 have calendaring or scheduling functionality, upon the first user 102 deferring a communication, the system 100 checks both the calendar 120 of the first telecommunications device 104 and the calendar 122 of the third telecommunications device 114 to determine a mutually available time at which to reach each other. In such an implementation, a defer communication application operating on the first telecommunications device 104 determines an available time for the first telecommunications device user 102. The defer communication application communicates the date and time of a suggested return communication to the third telecommunications device 114. The third telecommunications device 114 checks the calendar or schedule 122 of the third user 112 and determines if the suggested return communication date and time are available. If the suggested return communication date and time are unavailable, an application operating on the third telecommunications device 114 sends a return message with an updated suggested date and time for a return communication. The two telecommunications device applications may iterate back and forth until a mutually available time is determined. The date and time is then scheduled on or for both the first telecommunications device 104 and the third telecommunications device 114. Such an implementation allows users to schedule a mutually agreeable or mutually available time at which to engage in a synchronous communication. Such a scheduling mechanism is particularly advantageous if the first user 102 and the third user 112 are in different time zones or if they have busy schedules.

Other implementations are possible for scheduling a return communication to an originating caller from the simplest reminder to sophisticated scheduling and confirmation. Calendaring and scheduling may take place at a first telecommunications device 104, an originating or third telecommunications device 114, or in whole or in part at other parts in the system 100. For example, the scheduling and calendaring for users of telecommunications devices may take place at a system device or system component or server 118 which manages calendars for a plurality of users including the calendar 120 of the first telecommunications device user 102 and the calendar 122 of the third user 112. A reminders or calendar entries may take place at various intervals to repeatedly prompt a user to initiate a return communication.

In yet another implementation, the first telecommunications device user 102 or third telecommunications device user 112 may use a device which does not have a screen or other functionality. In such implementation, a system component delivers a defer message as a voice message to the third telecommunications device 114 and third user 112 at the time the first user 102 defers the call or after the third user 112 terminates the call to the first user 102.

In yet another implementation, a defer message may comprise a computer-generated telecommunications device communication to the third telecommunications device 114 at the time or after a time the third user 112 terminates the communication to the first telecommunications device user 102. A defer message may also be an SMS text message delivered to the third telecommunications device 114 or to some other device or to some other location such as an email account accessible to the third user 112.

In yet another implementation, a first telecommunications device user 102 may use a touchtone telecommunications device with no display, means for operating a software application, and/or means for receiving an SMS text message. In such case, a system component may provide the first telecommunications device user 102 an audible sound indicating an incoming communication. The first telecommunications device user 102 may then press a button on a standard keypad (e.g., the number 3) to access a defer mechanism and accompanying options, including delivery of a default message. In this example, components in the communication system 100, not the first telecommunications device 104, provide such defer mechanism and options. The system 100 provides prompts that lead the first telecommunications device user 102 through defer options or defer menus. In such case, a third user 112 receives back a default message sent by a system component to the third telecommunications device 114. For example, the default message is a text message that states that the telecommunications device user 102 is busy and will return the call in 30 minutes. At the conclusion of the original call between the first user 102 and the second user 106, a system component delivers an automated communication to the first telecommunications device 104. The automated communication conveys the identity or telecommunications device number of the communication that was previously deferred, the number of the third telecommunications device 114. The telecommunications device user 102 is then able to use such information available in the system 100 to return the communication to the third telecommunications device 114 and third user 112.

Exemplary Network Topology

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overview of an exemplary system 1000 in which components combine to defer an incoming communication and schedule a return communication. Other components or equipment not shown may defer or assist in deferring a communication and may schedule or assist in scheduling a return communication.

The system 1000 comprises, in this example, a first wireless telecommunications device 104 such as a first telecommunications device 104, a base transceiver station (BTS) 1004, a base station controller (BSC) 1006, a mobile switching center (MSC) 1008, a gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) 1010, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 1012, a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1014, and a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 1016, other phone networks 1018, external data networks 1020, and a second telecommunications device 1022 such as a third telecommunications device 114. GPRS is the general packet radio service for the global system for mobile communications (GSM).

The BTS 1004 sends and receives signals (e.g., data, information, voice communication) from the first telecommunications device 104. The BSC 1006 controls or operates the BTS 1004. The BSC 1006 sends and receives communications to the MSC 1008. The GMSC 1010 links the mobile network to the PSTN 1012 and other phone networks 1018. The first telecommunications device 104 thus sends and receives voice communications from the second telecommunications device 1022 through these components.

The MSC 1008 is connected to the SGSN 1014. The SGSN 1014 locates and authenticates data traffic in the system 1000. The GGSN 1016 converts data packets to and from GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) packets. The GGSN 1016 also provides an interface to TCP/IP packets and allows data to reach the external data networks 1020 such as the Internet. The first telecommunications device 104 thus communicates with other devices such as non-mobile devices, non-wireless devices, and so forth. Though not shown in FIG. 10, packet data sent from the first telecommunications device 104 may ultimately end up traversing the SGSN 1014, GGSN 1016, and one or more external data networks 1020 and thereby reach the second telecommunications device 1022. The second telecommunications device 1022 may be a smart phone or some other device including a wireless device.

The MSC 1008 communicates with a home location register (HLR) 1024, a visitor location register (VLR) 1026, an equipment identity register (EIR) 1028, message center (MC) 1030, and a packet control unit (PCU) 1032, among various components. The HLR 1024 receives, stores, and provides the location of wireless communication and other devices registered with the MSC 1008. The VLR 1026 stores information, such as geographical information, about devices temporarily within the coverage area of an MSC 1008. The EIR 1028 stores unique numbers used to identify each device registered with or known to the MSC 1008. The MC 1030 enables short message services (SMS) in the system 1000, routing messages to and from devices operating in the system 1000. The PCU 1032 enables the MSC 1008 to handle packet or packetized data. The MSC 1008 has one or more machine readable media (not shown) which store one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein.

In one implementation, when a defer command is entered on the first telecommunications device 104, the system 1000 automatically determines the functionality of the second telecommunications device 1022 by accessing the information available to the EIR 1028, and thus the system 1000 tailors the defer message sent to the second telecommunications device 1022 accordingly. For example, if the second telecommunications device 1022 does not have a display and can only receive voice communications, a recorded or generated voice message may be delivered to the second telecommunications device 1022 upon a user entering a defer command on the first telecommunications device 104.

In another implementation, a defer and scheduling service 1034 defers, schedules, or both defers and schedules, a return communication to the second telecommunications device 1022. The scheduling service 1034 may just perform portions of deferring and scheduling. The defer and scheduling service 1034 may be part of the MSC 1008 or may be electronically connected to the MSC 1008 or some other part or portion of the system 1000. The defer and scheduling service 1034 may comprise one or more separate devices, software operating on one or more components of the MSC 1008, software operating on some other part of the system 1000, or any combination of devices and software. The HLR 1024 or VLR 1026 may provide information for deferring or scheduling an incoming communication. The MC 1030 may provide texting services for deferring or scheduling if SMS or other text messaging is used. The PCU 1032 may provide services if packetized data is used in deferring an incoming communication and scheduling a return communication.

Exemplary Device

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary telecommunication device 1100 such as may be used to defer an incoming communication and to schedule a return communication to an originating caller. In many cases, device 1100 will be what is commonly referred to as a “cell phone,” although the described techniques can be used in conjunction with non-cellular technologies such as conventional analog AM or FM radio, WI-FI®, WiMAX®, and other analog and digital wireless voice and data transmission technologies.

With reference to FIG. 11, a telecommunication device 1100 comprises one or more processors 1102, and a memory 1104, a video display 1106, one or more input devices 1108, one or more output devices 1110, a drive unit 1112 which can access a machine readable medium 1114, and a transceiver 1116. The machine readable medium 1114 stores one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the memory 1104 and within the processor 1102 during execution thereof by the telecommunication device 1100. The memory 1104 and the processor 1102 also may constitute machine-readable media.

The input device 1108 may be a keyboard, keypad, touch screen, or microtelecommunications device. Other input devices 1108 may be used. The video display 1106 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display or other device. The processor 1102 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both CPU and GPU, or other processing unit or component.

Exemplary Methodology

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary logic flow diagram and method 1200 of deferring an incoming communication and scheduling a time for a user to return a communication between a first user 102 and an originating or third user 112. Callouts A through G show where exemplary user interfaces, corresponding to each block in the logic flow diagram, are found in the drawings. Callout A corresponds to the user interface shown in FIG. 2. Callout B corresponds to FIG. 3. Callout C corresponds to FIG. 4. Callout D corresponds to FIG. 5. Callout E corresponds to FIG. 6. Callout F corresponds to FIG. 7. Callout G corresponds to FIG. 8.

With reference to FIG. 12, an incoming communication is received 1202. The incoming communication may be a request to accept or initiate a synchronous communication such as a voice call.

Next, an incoming communication control is displayed 1204. If a user input is received 1206, a user can take one of several actions including to accept a communication, to defer the incoming communication, or to deny a request to initiate a synchronous communication. If a user accepts the incoming communication, the system connects 1208 the two or more devices. If a user rejects the incoming communication, the system or one of the devices disconnects 1210 the incoming communication or sends the originating communication to a voicemail application.

If a user defers the incoming communication, a component of the system, such as the telecommunications device, schedules 1212 a return or defer communication time. The return communication time may be scheduled manually or may be automatically scheduled at least in part on one or more appointment calendars.

Next, a component of the system, such as a telecommunications device, confirms 1214 a scheduled return communication time. For example, a confirmation screen is displayed on the device for a brief time.

Upon deferring a communication, an application or system component may create 1216 an entry in a return communication list. For example, upon deferring an incoming voice communication, the identity of the incoming caller and an incoming call time may be added to an entry and stored in a return communication list.

Next, at 1218, the type of device operated by one or more of the users may be determined. For example, a system component determines which type of device the originating caller is using (e.g., smart phone or simple touchtone phone). Or, one or more of the devices may communicate the type of device being used.

A component of the system notifies 1220 the originator that the incoming communication has been deferred. In one implementation, a message may be delivered to the originating telecommunications device. The defer message may take one of several forms, or may be delivered serially in a variety of forms.

In one implementation, at a return communication time, a reminder may be sent, delivered or activated 1222 to prompt for a return communication. For example, an SMS text message may be sent to a telecommunications device to prompt a user to return or initiate a return communication between the first user and originating or third user.

Then, a return communication may be initiated 1224 to the originating caller at or after the return communication time. The acts in the method 1200 described herein need not be performed in the order described, may be modified and/or may be omitted entirely, depending on the circumstances. For example, acts 1202 through 1210 may be omitted, and acts 1212 through 1224 may be initiated in response to some other action or instruction. In one specific example, a return communication may be scheduled in response to a notification of a failed incoming or outgoing communication. As used herein a failed communication is one in which a synchronous communication has not been able to be established. Examples of failed communications may include an indication of a missed incoming voice call, a deferred incoming voice call, an indication that an outgoing voice call has been deferred, an unanswered outgoing voice call (e.g. ringing without picking up or busy signal), an indication of reaching an outgoing voicemail box, and an indication of an incoming voice message.

In another alternative, initiating a return communication may comprise simply notifying a user of one of the telecommunications devices to be included in the return communication. Alternatively, one of the telecommunications devices or some other component of the system may be configured to automatically place the return communication at the scheduled time.

Relationship Management

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a system overview where the first user or the servers have relationship management capabilities, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, the first telecommunication device 104 may be configured with a relationship manager 1302 and a notification manager 1304. The first telecommunication device 104 may also include one of more contact lists 1306 of the first user 102 and one or more call logs, text and/or instant message histories, and/or email inboxes 1308 (hereinafter “log, history, and inbox 1308”) of the first user 102. As is also shown, the servers 124 may include a server-side relationship manager 1310 and server-side user data 1312 to enable the servers 124 to provide or participate in relationship management. The other components illustrated in FIG. 13 are also illustrated in FIG. 1 and were described above in detail with reference to that figure.

In various embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 may be any sort of application, process, thread, or routine that manages relationships between the first user 102 and contacts of the first user 102. As used herein, the term “contacts” includes both persons and groups on contact lists 1306 of the first user 102 and any other persons or groups that the first user 102 may engage in communication with. The relationship manager 1302 may be part of the platform of the first telecommunication device 104 (i.e. part of the operating system or an application installed by a service provider which configured the first telecommunication device 104) or may be an application provided by a third-party application provider.

In some embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 provides the first user 102 with a plurality of ways of selecting a contact to maintain a level of connectivity with. For example, the relationship manager 1302 may enhance contact lists 1306 such that, when the first user 102 is interacting with a user interface of one of the contact lists 1306, the first user 102 may select a contact and be presented with a selectable option to manage the first user 102's relationship with that contact. In response to selecting the option, the first user 102 may then be presented with a further user interface that enables the first user 102 to specify details regarding the level of connectivity that the first user 102 desires to maintain with the contact. Example user interfaces of the contact list 1306 and the level of detail are shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, respectively, and are discussed further below with reference to those figures.

In another embodiment, the relationship manager 1302 provides a user interface that enables the first user 102 to specify or select a contact to maintain a level of connectivity with. Such contacts may, but need not, be associated with a contact list 1306. In response to specifying or selecting a contact, the first user 102 may then be presented with a further user interface that enables the first user 102 to specify details regarding the level of connectivity that the first user 102 desires to maintain with the contact. Example user interfaces of the relationship manager 1302 and the level of detail are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively, and are discussed further below with reference to those figures.

As mentioned above, once the first user 102 specifies or selects a contact, the first user 102 may define a level of connectivity to be maintained with the contact. In some embodiments, the level of connectivity may include a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the first user 102 and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the first user 102. For example, the first user 102 may wish to communicate with the contact at least once every four weeks. At four weeks, if the first user 102 has not communicated with the contact, the relationship manager 1302 provides a reminder to the first user 102. The time period selected by the first user 102 may be a recurring time period that is reset with each communication between the first user 102 and the contact. Continuing with the above example, if the selected time period is four weeks and the first user 102 communicates with the contact after two weeks, the relationship manager 1302 resets the time period to start with that communication at the end of week two. Thus, the time period and its associated reminder date are dynamically updated based on a most recent communication between the first user 102 and the contact. While the examples provided above are in units of weeks, any unit of time or combination thereof may be used as the time period specified or selected by the user.

In addition to the time period, the first user 102 may also specify other criteria for the level of connectivity. These other criteria may include a requirement that the contact respond to a communication for that communication to be counted as the most recent communication. For example, if the first user 102 sends a text message, such as an SMS or MMS message, to the contact but the contact does not respond or send any subsequent communication to the first user 102, the text message may not count as a most recent communication. And because it does not count as a most recent communication, the time period included in the level of connectivity will not be updated based on the text message. Thus, if the most recent communication prior to the text message was a voice call two weeks before the text message, and the time period is four weeks, a reminder will be provided to the first user 102 at four weeks from the voice call, effectively treating the text message as if it did not occur for purposes of relationship management.

Also, these other criteria may include a requirement that a voice call last for a certain duration for that voice call to be counted as the most recent communication. The duration may also be specified by the user or may be a pre-defined duration, such as the duration typically associated with the playing of an answering machine/voicemail message. For example, if the first user 102 calls the contact, is answered by the contact's answering machine or voicemail message, and then hangs up, the duration of the call may be less than the duration specified by the requirement. And because the duration is less then the required duration, the call does not count as the most recent communication. Accordingly, the time period included in the level of connectivity will be measured starting with a communication prior to the call.

Further, these other criteria may include a requirement that the most recent communication be of a specified or selected communication type. For example, the first user 102 may select text messaging and instant messaging as the only sort of communications that count for purposes of relationship management. Other communication types that are not selected will not be considered by the relationship manager 1302 in determining the first user's most recent communication with the contact. In some embodiments, only a partial set of identifiers may be known for a contact, such as a contact's phone number and email address. When only a partial set of identifiers are known, the relationship manager 1302 may default to a selection of the communication types associated with the known identifiers as being the only communication types that count for purposes of relationship management.

In various embodiments, rather than enabling the first user 102 to select the contact and level of connectivity, the relationship manager 1302 may automatically select the contact. The relationship manager 1302 may automatically select the contact from any number of sources, such as contact lists 1306 of the first user 102, social networks of the first user 102, organization charts showing relationships with the first user 102, or any other source that indicates some sort of relationship between the first user 102 and the contact. For example, a contact list 1306 may include information about one of the contacts specifying the contact's relationship to the first user 102 (e.g., “mom”). Based on that information and a set of rules that define the sorts of relationships that should be managed, the relationship manager 1302 selects the contact for relationship management. The relationship manager 1302 also utilizes the set of rules to determine the time period used for the level of connectivity to maintain with the contact. For example, the rules might specify that the first user 102 should communicate with family members at least once every three weeks. In one embodiment, the first user 102 may select or specify such rules to avoid the need to select and specify a level of connectivity for each and every contact.

In some embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 may automatically select a subset of contacts for relationship management. The relationship manager 1302 may select the subset based on a filter (e.g., “work” contacts or “family contacts”) to enable the first user 102 to select a contact from the subset for relationship management.

In various embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 monitors communications between the first user 102 and the contact. The monitoring may include examining at least one of a call log, an instant message history, a text message history, an email inbox, or a social history (e.g. a history activity in a social network) of the first user 102, such as log, history, or inbox 1308. The relationship manager 1302 performs the examining on some predetermined basis, such as once every minute, hour, or day. Any frequency of examining may be used. Based on the examining, the relationship manager 1302 determines a most recent communication between the first user 102 and the contact. In one embodiment, determining the most recent communication includes determining whether a communication meets the requirements specified in the level of connectivity. In response to determining the most recent communication, the relationship manager 1302 compares the most recent communication to the time period specified in the level of connectivity to determine if a time since the most recent communication matches or exceeds the time period. If the time matches or exceeds the time period, then the relationship manager 1302 reminds the first user 102 to communicate with the contact.

In some embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 provides the reminder to the user via a notification manager 1304. The notification manager 1304 may be any sort of application, process, thread, or routine that provides reminders to communicate with contacts and reminders to call back communication partners whose calls the first user 102 chose to defer. The notification manager 1304 may be part of the platform of the first telecommunication device 104 (i.e. part of the operating system or an application installed by a service provider which configured the first telecommunication device 104) or may be an application provided by a third-party application provider.

In various embodiments, the notification manager 1304 includes a user interface having a display area for reminders generated by the relationship manager 1302 and another display area for reminders to return deferred calls. In some embodiments, the display are for reminders to return deferred calls may be a display of the return communication list 122, which may includes a display similar to the example user interface of the return communication list 122 shown in FIG. 9 and described above. Each reminder shown in either display area, when selected, may result in the initiation of a communication between the first user 102 and the contact or party shown in the reminder. An example user interface of the notification manager 1304 is shown in FIG. 17 and is described further below with reference to that figure.

In some embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 may generate reminders and provide those reminders to the notification manager 1304 well in advance of the expiration of the time period included in the level of connectivity and may then update the generated reminders based on the monitoring of the first user 102's communications. In other embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 only generates and provides reminders upon expiration of the time period.

Also, the relationship manager 1302 may repeat the generating of the reminder in response to determining that the first user 102 has not communicated with the contact. The relationship manager 1302 may determine that the first user 102 has not communicated with the contact by monitoring the first user 102's communications. The relationship manager 1302 may also track the number of reminders it has provided and may indicate this tracked number to the first user 102 in some way, such as with a different color or emphasis to be shown in the display of the reminder to indicate an increased urgency or importance for the reminder.

In some embodiments, at the expiration of the time period included in the level of connectivity, the relationship manager 1302 automatically initiates a communication between the first user 102 and the contact, such as an email, a text message, an instant message, or a voice call.

Also, in various embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 may interface with a calendar of the first user 102, such as a calendar provided by the first telecommunication device 104 platform or by an application, such as an email application. Upon selection of a contact to maintain a level of connectivity with, the relationship manager 1302 determines a most recent communication in the manner described above and calculates a date and time based on the most recent communication and the time period specified in the level of connectivity. The relationship manager 1302 then places a calendar appointment on the first user's calendar at that date and time, the calendar appointment serving as a reminder. The relationship manager 1302 may also send an invitation to the contact, such as a meeting invitation associated with a calendar, for communication at the determined date and time. If the relationship manager 1302 has access to a calendar of the contact, the relationship manager 1302 can determine a mutually convenient time closest to the determined date and time for both the first user 102 and the contact and may place the appointment on calendars of both the first user 102 and the contact. In some embodiments, the relationship manager 1302 may also update the date and time of the calendar appointment based on monitoring the first user 102's communications with the contact. Also, in one embodiment, the notification manager 1304 may display the calendar appointments generated by the relationship manager 1302.

In one embodiment, the relationship manager 1302 may have a calendar specific to the relationship manager 1302 that includes the appointments created by the relationship manager 1302. Such a calendar may be used in place of a different calendar associated with a platform or application.

In various embodiments, the contact lists 1306 shown in FIG. 13 may be any sort of contact lists, such as contact lists from an email program, a phone book, a “buddy lists”, an organization chart, or from any other source. The contact lists 1306 may be from any source, either local or remote. Likewise, the log, history, and inbox 1308 may be or include any sort of call log, instant message history, text message history, email inbox, or social history and may be from any source, either local or remote.

Also, in various embodiments, the server-side relationship manager 1310 may be configured to perform any or all of the operations described above with regard to the relationship manager 1302. The server-side relationship manager 1310 may be any sort of application, process, thread, or routine that manages relationships between the first user 102 and contacts of the first user 102.

In some embodiments, the server-side relationship manager 1310 may either receive a selection of a contact from the first telecommunication device 104, may facilitate the first user 102 in selecting a contact, may automatically select a contact on behalf of the first user 102, or may automatically select a subset of contacts for the user to select from in the manner described above. The server-side relationship manager 1310 then monitors the communications between the first user 102 and the contact and generates reminders. The server-side relationship manager 1310 then either provides the reminder to the first telecommunication device 104 for display via a notification manager 1304 or provides the reminders through a notification manager located on the servers 124

In one embodiment, the server-side relationship manager 1310 has access to calendars of both the first user 102 and the contact and places a calendar appointment on the calendars at a date and time that is mutually convenient and nearest to the expiration of the time period included in the level of connectivity. The determining of this date and time is described above.

In various embodiments, the server-side user data 1312 can include the contact lists 1306, the log, history, or inbox 1308, calendars of either or both of the first user 102 and the contact, and any other sort of information. The server-side relationship manager 1310 may refer to the server-side user data 1312 in performing the selecting of contacts, the monitoring of communications, and/or the providing of reminders.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary user interface for user selection of a contact for relationship management, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, a first telecommunication device 104 may present a first user 102 with a user interface 1402 that is associated with one or more contact lists 1306. The user interface 1402 includes information 1404 identifying the user interface 1402 as well as representation of a number of contacts. For the sake of illustrate, representations of a first contact 1406 labeled “Singleton”, of a second contact 1408 labeled “Mary Katherine”, and of a third contact 1410 labeled “Calhoun” are shown. In response to user interaction with the representation of the second contact 1408, a selectable option 1412 labeled “relationship management” is shown in associated with the representation of the second contact 1408. In response to a user interaction with the selectable option, the first user 102 may be taken to a user interface for specifying a level of connectivity, such as the user interface illustrated in FIG. 16 and described below in reference to that figure. Also, as shown, the user interface 1402 may include addition information 1414, such as a time-of-day.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary user interface of a relationship management component, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, a first telecommunication device 104 may present a first user 102 with a user interface 1502 of a relationship manager 1302. The user interface 1502 includes information 1504 identifying the user interface 1502 as well as a first input area 1506 for the first user 102 to specify a contact and a second input area 1508 for the first user 102 to select a contact from a number of contacts shown in the second input area 1508. The first input area 1506 is labeled “Search” and includes an input field 1510, such as a text entry box, for the first user 102 to type in the name or some identifier of a contact. The second input area 1508 includes representations of a plurality of contacts, which may include contacts drawn from contact lists 1306. The representations shown in FIG. 15 include a representation of a contact 1512 labeled “Mary Fortune” and a representation of a contact 1514 labeled “Pitts.” In response to the specifying or selecting of a contact, the first user 102 may be taken to a user interface for specifying a level of connectivity, such as the user interface illustrated in FIG. 16 and described below in reference to that figure. Also, as shown, the user interface 1502 may include addition information 1516, such as a time-of-day.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary user interface that enables a user to define a level of connectivity to maintain between that user and a contact, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, a first telecommunication device 104 may present a first user 102 with a user interface 1602 that enables the first user 102 to define a level of connectivity. The user interface 1602 includes information 1604 identifying the contact that the first user 102 is defining a level of connectivity for. The user interface 1602 also includes input areas 1606, 1608, and 1610. Input area 1606 enables the first user 102 to specify or select a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the first user 102 and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the first user 102. As shown in FIG. 16, such an input area 1606 could include a drop-down list 1612 of time periods for the user to select from. Other alternatives, such as text entry areas, may instead be used for input area 1606. Input area 1608 enables the first user 102 to specify or select whether a response to a communication is required for the communication to count as a most recent communication. As shown in FIG. 16, such an input area 1608 could include check-boxes 1614 for options such as “Yes” and “No”. Other alternatives may instead be used for input area 1608. Input area 1610 enables the first user 102 to specify or select communication types for communications to count as a most recent communication. As shown in FIG. 16, such an input area 1610 could include check-boxes 1616 for options such as “Voice,” “Email,” “IM,” and “Text (SMS).” Other alternatives may instead be used for input area 1610. In some embodiments, the user interface 1602 may include only one or two of input areas 1606, 1608, or 1610, or may include additional input areas not shown, such as an input area for specifying whether a call must be of a certain duration. Also, as shown, the user interface 1602 may include addition information 1618, such as a time-of-day.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary user interface of a notification manager that includes call defer reminders and relationship management reminders, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, a first telecommunication device 104 may present a first user 102 with a user interface 1702 that enables the first user 102 to receive reminders generated by the relationship manager 1302 or appearing on a return communication list 122. The user interface 1702 includes notification areas 1704 and 1706. The notification area 1704 includes representations of reminders generated by the relationship manager 1302. As shown in FIG. 17, the notification area 1704 includes a representation 1708 of a reminder to communicate with Mary Fortune Pitts on or before March 4^(th). The notification area 1706 includes representations of reminders appearing on a return communication list 122, such as the return communication list 122 illustrated in FIG. 9 and described above. By providing those representations in a common user interface 1702 with reminders generated by the relationship manager 1302, the first user 102 is enabled too see all reminders on a common user interface. Also, as shown, the user interface 1702 may include addition information 1712, such as information identifying the user interface 1702 as a “notification manager” user interface.

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary telecommunication device that can be used to manage a relationship between a user and a contact and to remind the user of a deferred call, in accordance with various embodiments. The components 1102 and 1106-1116 of the example telecommunication device 1800 may be the same as the components 1102 and 1106-1116 of FIG. 11, which are described above in greater detail. As is shown in FIG. 18, the example telecommunication device 1800 also includes a memory 1804 which may be the same as the memory 1104 of FIG. 11, except that memory 1804 additionally stores relationship logic for implementing the relationship manager 1302, notification logic for implementing the notification manager 1304, contact lists 1306, and/or log, history, and inbox 1308.

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary logic flow diagram of operations performed by a telecommunication device to manage a relationship between a user and a contact, in accordance with various embodiments. At block 1902, the first telecommunication device 104 selects a contact of a first user 102 of the first telecommunication device 104 to maintain a level of connectivity with. At 1902 a, the selecting includes enabling the first user 102 to select the contact and to select as the level of connectivity a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the first user 102 and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the first user 102. The enabling may include allowing the first user 102 to select a contact and to turn on relationship management for that contact or providing the first user 102 with a relationship management user interface to enable the first user 102 to specify a contact to the relationship management user interface. At block 1902 a, the selecting also or instead includes automatically selecting the contact from at least one user contact list based on information associated with the contact or information retrieved from social networks or automatically selecting a subset of contacts to enable user selection, in the manner described above.

In various embodiments, the level of connectivity includes at least a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the first user 102 and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the first user 102. The level of connectivity may also include a requirement that an email, an instant message, or a text message from the first user 102 be responded to by the contact for the email, the instant message, or the text message communication to count as a most recent communication. Additionally, the level of connectivity may include a requirement that a call last for a minimum duration to count as a most recent communication. Further, the level of connectivity may include a requirement that a communication be of a specified or selected type to count as a most recent communication.

At block 1904, the first telecommunication device 104 may monitor communications between the first user 102 and the contact. At block 1906, the monitoring includes examining at least one of a call log, an instant message history, a text message history, an email inbox, or a social history of the first user 106. At block 1908, following the examining, the first telecommunication device 104 determines a most recent communication between the first user 102 and the contact. At block 1910, in response to the determining, the first telecommunication device 104 compares a time since that most recent communication to the maximum time period included in the level of connectivity to determine whether the time matches or exceeds the maximum time period. When the time matches or exceeds the maximum time period, the first telecommunication device 104 provides a reminder.

At block 1912, the first telecommunication device 104, in response to the selecting at block 1902, places an appointment on a calendar of the first user 102 at a date and time determined based on the level of connectivity. At block 1914, the first telecommunication device 104 sends a calendar appointment invitation to the contact for a communication at the date and time. At block 1916, the first telecommunication device 104 updates the date and time of the appointment based on the monitoring at block 1904.

At block 1918, the first telecommunication device 104 reminds the first user 102 to communicate with the contact, the reminding being performed based at least on the monitored communications and the level of connectivity. In some embodiments, the reminding includes providing a notification through a notification manager, the notification manager also providing other reminders to return calls that the first user 102 chose to defer.

At decision block 1920, the first telecommunication device 104 determines whether the first user 102 has communicated with the contact. If the first user 102 has not communicated with the contact, the first telecommunication device 104 repeats the reminding at block 1918.

At decision block 1922, the first telecommunication device 104 automatically initiates a communication with the contact at the expiration of the maximum time period specified in the level of connectivity.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary logic flow diagram of operations performed by a server to manage a relationship between a user and a contact, in accordance with various embodiments. At block 2002, the servers 124 receive from a first telecommunication device 104 an indication of a contact of a first user 102 of the first telecommunication device 104 selected by the first telecommunication device 104 to maintain a level of connectivity with. In some embodiments, the receiving comprises automatically selecting the contact from at least one user contact list based on information associated with the contact or information retrieved from social networks. At block 2004, following the receiving, the servers 124 monitor communications between the first user 102 and the contact. At block 2006, the servers 124 may, in response to the receiving, check calendars of the first user 102 and the contact and, based on the checking, place an appointment on the calendars of the first user 102 and the contact for a date and time determined based on the level of connectivity. At block 2008, the servers 124 provide a reminder to the first user 102 to communicate with the contact, the providing being performed based at least on the monitored communications and the level of connectivity.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims. 

1. A method comprising: automatically selecting, by a telecommunication device, a contact of a user of the telecommunication device to maintain a level of connectivity with; in response to the automatically selecting, checking calendars of the user and the contact and, based on the checking, placing an appointment on a calendar associated with instructions performing the automatic selecting, that calendar being separate and distinct from the calendars of the user and the contact; monitoring, by the telecommunication device, communications between the user and the contact; and reminding, by the telecommunication device, the user to communicate with the contact, the reminding performed based at least in part on the appointment, the monitored communications, and the level of connectivity.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to select as the level of connectivity a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the user and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the user.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically selecting comprises automatically selecting the contact from at least one user contact list based on information associated with the contact or information retrieved from social networks or automatically forming a subset of contacts from the at least one user contact list for the user to select from.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of connectivity includes at least a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the user and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the user.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring includes: determining a most recent communication between the user and the contact; comparing a time since the most recent communication to the maximum time period; and when the time matches or exceeds the maximum time period, performing the reminding.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the level of connectivity further includes a requirement that an email, an instant message, or a text message from the user be responded to by the contact for the email, the instant message, or the text message communication to count as a most recent communication.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the level of connectivity further includes a requirement that a call last for a minimum duration to count as a most recent communication.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the level of connectivity further includes a requirement that a communication be of a specified or selected type to count as a most recent communication.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring includes examining at least one of a call log, an instant message history, a text message history, an email inbox of the user, or a social history.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the appointment based on the monitoring.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the reminding comprises providing a notification through a notification manager, the notification manager also providing other reminders to return calls that the user chose to defer.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the reminding in response to determining that the user has not communicated with the contact.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the reminding further comprises automatically initiating a communication with the contact.
 14. A computer-readable storage medium comprising: a plurality of computer-executable instructions stored on the computer-readable storage medium and configured to program a server to perform operations including: receiving from a telecommunication device an indication of a contact of a user of the telecommunication device automatically selected by the telecommunication device to maintain a level of connectivity with; in response to the receiving, checking calendars of the user and the contact and, based on the checking, placing an appointment on a calendar associated with the instructions performing the receiving, that calendar being separate and distinct from the calendars of the user and the contact; monitoring communications between the user and the contact; and providing a reminder to the user to communicate with the contact, the providing performed based at least on the monitored communications and the level of connectivity.
 15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the automatically selecting is based on information associated with the contact or information retrieved from social networks.
 16. A telecommunication device comprising: a processor; a storage component coupled to the processor and configured to store at least one of a call log, an instant message history, a text message history, an email inbox, or a social history; and a plurality of executable instructions configured to be operated by the processor to perform operations including: automatically selecting a contact of a user of the telecommunication device to maintain a level of connectivity with, the level of connectivity including at least a maximum time period during which there is no communication between the user and the contact and at the end of which a reminder is provided to the user; in response to the automatically selecting, checking calendars of the user and the contact and, based on the checking, placing an appointment on a calendar associated with the instructions performing the receiving, that calendar being separate and distinct from the calendars of the user and the contact monitoring communications between the user and the contact, the monitoring including examining the at least one of the call log, the instant message history, the text message history, the email inbox, or the social history to determine a most recent communication between the user and the contact; and reminding the user to communicate with the contact, the reminding being based at least in part on the appointment or the monitoring.
 17. The telecommunication device of claim 16, wherein the automatic selecting includes: automatically selecting the contact from at least one user contact list based on information associated with the contact or information retrieved from social networks, or automatically selecting a subset of contacts from the at least one user contact list based on information associated with the contact or information retrieved from social networks and enabling the user to select the contact from the subset of contacts. 